Obscure, hidden and forgotten

In the early 1960s, Connecticut reorganized its highway system and changed about 1/3 of all its routes; that's why older maps look a bit odd. In the early 1930s, the state changed nearly everything.

For specific routes, try Route 105 in Fairfield County; or Route 130 in Kent; I-82 in eastern Connecticut; or a driving trip along the original Route 8.

Route Numbering

State routes are numbered between 2 and 999; however, those above 399 are "Secret" routes, maintained by the state but not signposted. Connecticut does not allow a state route with the same number as a US or Interstate route.

The highest signed route is 372; the highest secret route, 921. (The highest route number ever used appears to be SR 1001, for the Wilbur Cross Highway, in 1940).

Short History

Connecticut started numbering its highways around 1922, predating the US route system's inauguration in 1926. The route numbers in the 1920s were almost completely different from those today.

In response to changing laws for federal highway aid, the state in 1932 renumbered most of its highways, creating many routes (such as 67, 58, and 87) you would recognize today. Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s there were scattered changes. Along with the signed routes was a system of unposted "secret" routes, with administrative numbers reaching the 900s (and beyond).

In 1961 the state decided to re-examine its highway system, and reclassified hundreds of miles of roads. Some state routes were deleted (turned over to the town), some created, and many renumbered. Most signed routes above 220 are a product of this reclassification. The state's secret routes were renumbered into a geographically grouped system; for example, routes in Eastern Connecticut were numbered in the 600s.

In Depth - Bridges

History

Historical Overview - very high-level description of Connecticut road activity over the past few centuries

Timeline: When I'm lucky enough to find out exactly when something happened, I put it here. Some of those bridges you drive on may be older than you think.

1913 Trunk Line system: Connecticut's plan to pave 375 new miles of road with a concrete base – much better quality than the existing pavement. The six trunk lines were not signed, but did have numbers. Includes map.

New England Interstates: This is why Routes 8, 10, 12, and 32 go north-south and cross into many other states; they were part of a New England-wide road network set up in the early 1920s.

1920s routes / Great Renumbering: A list of all those funky route numbers that the state threw away in 1932. Route 300? 333? 360? How come there were hardly any 200's? All will be carved.

The Small Renumbering: In the early 1960s, the state reorganized its highway system, transferring several routes between town and state control. About 1/3 of all routes were affected.

Color-coded Route Markers: In 1948, the state began experimenting with color-coded route markers in cities: each through route would have its own color, to aid in navigation.

Maps

The Map Inside: The Connecticut Officials Connecticut highways have evolved a lot over the past 70 years; so have the road maps. I discuss the changes in style and format, and include scans of several maps: not just the covers, but the roads too!

Other stuff

Guest Columnists

44 ways from Hartford to Providence With no expressway connecting these capital cities, "there's more than one way to do it" from one to the other. Fellow road fan Jon Persky provides 12 ways, adding history and what you'll expect to see along the way.

Connecticut Route Synopses Face it, some roads are more interesting to drive than others. Daryl Salem praises some Connecticut routes, pans others, and shows some of the sights along the way.

Geeky stuff

The List of Lists, or Fun FactsAdmit it, you wanted to know this stuff. Which state route is the longest (262 miles). Which one is the shortest (210 _feet_). Also scenic routes, freeways, route numbers not used any more, routes that don't cross a town line, and more.

Almanac: higher-level view of entire state highway system. Does Connecticut have any jughandles? Michigan lefts? Find out here.

Exit numbering: Why does Route 2 have five Exit 5's, but no exit 14? Descend into an even murkier level of minutiae as we discuss exit numbering in the state: when it started, the system for each highway, and the anomalies therein.

Self-Paced Quiz: A bakers' dozen of stumpers about Connecticut highways. I bet you think you're smart.

Other links

This is just for fun

Though I get much of my information from official sources, this is not an official State of Connecticut site. The DOT site is www.ct.gov/dot/. I'm just here to share information and maybe entertain. I do value accuracy, though. If you spot a mistake, or have something to add, my e-mail address is on every page. Thanks!